Typewriting machine



Nov. 17,1925- w. A. KELLY TYPEWRITING MACHINE Filed A ril 2, .19

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov- 17, 1925- w. A. KELLY TYPEWRI'IING MACKINE Filed April 2. 1921 2 sheets-sheet 2,.

Patented Nov. 17, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM ASHLEY KELLY, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW' JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO UNDERWOOD TYPEWRITER COMPANY, OF NEYV YORK, N. Y., A CORIPORATION OF DELAWARE.

TYPEWRITING MACHINE.

Application filed April 2, 1921. Serial No. 457,965.

To aZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, iterati AsriLE-Y KELLY, a citizen of the United States, residing in Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new' and useful Improvements in 'l'ypewriting lrIac-hines, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to typewriting machines of the type disclosed in the patent to Vernery & Smith, No. 1,132,055, dated March 16, 1915, and is in the nature of an improvement upon the machine disclosed in the patent to L. F. Messenger, No. 1,362,338, dated December 14, 1920.

The machine disclosed in said Patent No. 1.362338 is designed to facilitate writing alternately upon different web sets of a plurality which are fed into the machine side by side. Provision is made of a plurality of carboircarriers, arranged side by side, each of the carbon-carriers being movable forwardly and rearwardly independently of the other or others. From the carbon-carriers the web-sets extend forwardly, side by side, to and around the platen, which is split or made in separate sections, one for each web-set, so that each section may be rotated independently of the other or others. in this patent, only two web-sets are shown, and typing on either web-set mayproceed to any desired extent, while the other web.-

set remains unused. Also, the, split? platen may be shifted to raised position to enable the webs to be straightened, and either or both of the carboncarriersto be moved to the rear to shift the carbons into unused portions of the web-sets. As soon as the typing of one form is completed upon one web-set, the san'ie may be torn off or severed by means of the usual knife which may extend along the entire splitplaten. Each section of the platen is provided with line-spacing mechanism, so that either web set may be advanced independently of the other.

According to the present invention, a single long platen is used, and provision is made of two separate sets of feed-rolls, one for each web-set, each of the sets of feedrolls being provided with suitable cast-off or release mechanism, whereby either of the webs may be freed from the platen.

Also, when the feed-rolls, which normally serve to press a web-set against the platen, are withdrawn, the webs of the set will tend to be displaced, due to the rotation of the platen in one direction or the other. To maintain in proper position the webs of the web-set which has been released from the platen, provision may be made of gripping or clamping members, independent of the platen pivotally supported at the rear of the platen-frame, one of said gripping de vices being provided for each set of feedrolls, and these gripping devices may be connected with the finger-pieces of the castott' devices, so as to be rendered effective to grip the webs of the web-set which has been released from the platen. The connection between the cast-off mechanism and the gripping device, in each case, may com prise a pin-and-slot connection between a link extending rearwardly from the cast-off lever, corresponding to the particular webset, and an arm on a rock-shaft carrying the clamping device, the pin normally being held at the forward end of the slot in the link by means of a suitable spring. The cast-off lever may also be connected by a pin-and slot connection withadownwardlyextending link of the cast-off mechanism, so

"that the release-lever, when actuated, will move idly with reference to the cast-off link until the gripping device. is rendered effective, and, upon further actuation, will cast off the feed-rolls, and gradually increase the I tension on the spring, connecting the p I link extendlng from therelease-leverto the arm on the clamping shaft, so-that the clamping or gripping device, atter being brou 'ht into contact with the back of the ltiaper-carriage, will be held in such position during the continuedv nioven'ient of the casto'tl' lever and withdrawal of the feed-rolls.

from the platen. It will be seen that the connections between the cast-oil mechanism and the cast-off lever, and between the lat-1 ter and the clamping device, in each set, are such that the clamping device will berendercd ctl'ective before the feed-rolls are cast off, and that the feed-rolls will be rendered effective before the clamping levice is released. y 1

According to the present invention, the usual standard Underwood fan-fold billing machine of the type disclosed in the abovenoted patent to "Werner-y 8: Smith, having a unitary or single-section platen and adapted to handle a single web or web-set which may be comparatively wide, may be readily converted into a machine adapted to handle two webs or web-sets 011 the same unitary or single-section platen, side by side, and which may be typed upon alternately and linespaced together, or either one of them may be typed upon and independently linespaced while the other, together with interleaved carbon-sheets, may be maintained in a stationary position in the machine ready at any time for typing to be resumed thereon at the place where it was discontinued, or at any other place desired. A separate carbon-carrier for each web-set is independently movable toward and away from the respective end portions of the unitary or single-section platen.

The machine of the present invention is equally well adapted for typing to any desired extent upon one web or web-set while another is held in readiness in stationary position in the machine, or for typing alternately upon complementary work-sheets arranged in continuous or web-form. By "complementary work-sheets it is meant that the successive sheets making up one of the webs bear a complementary relation to the successive sheets making up the other web. That is to say, the worx-sheets in one web bear a certain definite relation to the work-sheets in the other web, this relation being dependent upon the nature of the forms which may have been printed upon the work-sheets, or it may depend upon the character of the entries which are to be typed upon the complementary work-sheets, or it may depend upon both of these factors. With the ordinary fan-fold or continuous billing machine of the above-noted ernery & Smith type, in order to alternate the writing on one sheet with that on the other, it is customary to remove one of the webs from the machine, together with its carbonholding carriage, and insert the other web in ti 2. machine, at the same time placing in position thereon its carbon-holding carriage, thereby causing loss of time.

In the splitpl'aten continuous billing machine disclosed in the hereinbefore-mentioned patent to Messenger, in order to alternate the writing on one sheet with that on the other, it is necessary to perform two separate line spacing operations, by means of two separate and independent line-spacing mechanisms, one for each section of the split platen, thereby losing time and incurring some liability of error. The machine of the present invention is of very simple construction and is capable of handling all of the classes of worl which can be handled by the Messenger split-platen machine.

Furthermore, in the machine of the present invention only a single line-spacing operation is required in order to type alternately upon two webs or web-sets which pass side by side around a unitary or single-section platen, and, by means of a single line-spacing mechanism, may he line-spaced at the same time, or may be line-spaced independently, as may be found desirable, according to the class of work.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings,

, Figure 1 is a plan view of Liarts of an Underwood continuous billing or fan-fold typewriting machine with my invention applied thereto.

Figure 2 is a sectional side view, showing substantially the same parts.

Figure 3 is a side view, showing the position of the parts when the cast-off lever, corresponding to one of the web-sets, has been swung suiiiciently to render the correspondin clamp effective. but not to cast oil the corresponding feed-rolls.

Figure 4. is a view similar to Figure 3, but showing the parts in the positions as sumed when the cast-off lever has been advanced far enough to cast off the corresponding feed-rolls.

Figure 5 is a reduced fragmentary front elevation of the platen and the two sets of feed-rolls, showing the two cast-off shafts mounted end to end.

A platen is mounted on a shaft 11 journaled in a shifting frame comprising end supporting bars or plates 12, each pivotally mounted at one end on a bar or shaft 13, and a crossbar or plate 14: connecting said plates 12 and normally extending upwardly and rearwardly from a line above the writing line of the platen, thus affording a front paper-table or guide for the worksheets.

The platen-shifting frame, comprising plates 12 and table 1%, is normally held in the position illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 4 by latches 1.5 and 16 fixedlv secured to a shaft 17 journaled in a carriage 18. Each of said latches and 16 engages a pin 19 carried by the adiacent plate or member 12, which is provided with a leg or stop memher 20 abutting against the shaft 17, which thus determines the normal position of the platen-shifting frame. The latches 15 and 16 may be normally urged to their effective positions by springs 21 coiled about the shaft 17, each having one of its ends secured to an adjacent part of the carriage 18, and the other of its ends secured to a collar 22 on shaft 17.

The latches 15 and 16 may be extende as to form handles or finger-pieces 23 respectively. by either of which latches may be shifted bachwardly to release the pins 19, after which the shiftablc iii platen frame and the platen may be displaced for a purpose well known to those skilled in the art. One of the latches may also be provided with an extension or toe by which the movement due to the springs may be limited on release of the latches after shifting the platen-shifting frame.

Provision may be made of the usual linespacing mechanism of the Underwood typewriter, comprising a linespace lever 26, a slide 27 and a ratchet-wheel 28 mounted on a stub shaft 29, which is siipplieclwvitli a finger-wheel 30. Usually, the ratchet-wheel off the line-spacing mechanism of a typewriter is mounted on the axle of the platen, but, in the machines in the class herein disclosed, the platen is supported so as to be lifted from its normal position with reference to the line-spacing mechanism. For this reason, the ratchet-wheel, as stated, is mounted not on the axle of the platen but on the stub-shaft 29, which is'in alignment with the axle or shaft 11 of the platen when the platen is in its normal position.

To effect a driving connection between the stub-shaft 29 and the axle 11, provision is made of a gear 31, mounted on the inner end of tie stub-shaft 29, and a gear 32, of the same size and shape, mounted on the adjacent end of the platen axle, connection between the gears 31 and 32 being effected by means of a pinion 33 mounted on the shaft 13. it will be seen that the pinion 33 must be of sufficient width to engage both of gears 31 and 32 at the same time, and that the driving connection between the gears 31 and 32 will be maintained in all positions of the platen-shifting frame.

ihe carriage 18 may be provided with the usual paper-guide or table 34 extending downwardly and forwardly to the lower part of the platen, and this table, instead of being: supported as usual by a cross-bar :15 of the carriage 18, is bent upwardly, rearwardly and downwardly,so as to rest on the shaft 17.

= Mon may be made of a frame compri nn" rearwardly-extending tracks 36 and cr bars 3. and 38, the frame being supported at its forward end by securing the crossbar 38 thereof'to the cross-bar of the carriz-rge, and being supported at its rear end in an) 'table manner, as, for example, by substantially the same means as disclosed in said patent to Messenger. Each of the carboncarriers 39 may be provided with grooved rollers 40 to run along and be guided by the tracks or runways 36. Preferably, the grooved rollers are mounted in trucks l1. and the carbon-carriers are detachably secured to their respective trucks by means of attaching pins or lugs 42.

Each of the carbon-carriers is provided with a plurality of fingers 43 to which car hon-sheets may be attached in any appropriate manner. The lingers 43 may be detachably secured to their respective carriers by means of stepped supports 44' and 45, the alternate fingers being attached thereto at their ends at different elevations so as to extend alternately from different sides of the carriage. Provision is thus made for interleaving carbon-sheets from the opposite sides of a fan-fold web, or between successive webs of a pile of superposed webs. Each of the carbon-carriers may also be provided with a forwardly-extending handle 46, whereby it may be moved to the rear to draw the carbons to unused portions of the webs of work-sheets, as will hereinafter, be more fully described.

In order to place in the machine the two sets of webs 47, which. may be either fanfold webs or sets of superposed separate webs, the different plies of which may be designated by 48, the webs 4;? are carried over the cross-bar 37 at the rear of the frame which is connected to the carriage to travel therewith, and the different plies are interleaved with carbons 48* secured to the fingers 4-3 of the two carbon-carriers. The webs 47 are then carried forward to the papertable 34, the rear portion of which overlies the shaft 11 and then forwardly beneath the platen, which has been lifted from its normal position by shifting: the latches 15 and 16 to the rear and swinging the platen-shifting frame forwardly about the bar or shaft 13. After theforward ends of the webs 47 have been drawn forwardly between the shaft 13 and the platen in its raised position, the platen may be swung rearwardly until the stop members 20 come into contact with the shaft 17 when the latches 15 and 16 will be moved forwardly by the springs 21, so as to engage over the pins 19 to lock the platenshifting frame in its normal position.

The webs 47 will now be gripped between the platen 10 and the normally effective Spring-pressed front and rear feed-rolls 49 and 50, respectively. Inasmuch as it is desirable at times to feed the two sets of webs independently, the feed-rolls 49 and 50 are divided into two sets, each adaptedto co- I operate with a portion of the platen over which. one of the sets of plies is led. The front and rear feed-rolls 49 and 50 of each set may be carried on shafts 51 and 52, car ried by levers 53 and 5 1-, respectively, which are pivotally mounted on a-rod 55 supported in the ends of the carriage. The levers 53 and 54- are provided with arms 56 and 57, respectively, extending downwardly from the rod 55 and normally co-operating with flats 58 on cast-off shaft-s 59, of which two, placed end to end, are provided, one for each set of feed-rolls. The cast-off shafts 59 are supported at their inner ends in a common bracket 60 fixedly secured to the rod and are journaled near their outer ends in brackets (51 also fixed on the rod In order to actuate the cast-oil? shafts 59 separately, each of them may be supplied at its outer end with an arm 61, and this arm (ll may be connected by a link (32 with one arm 63 of a linger-piece (it pivotally mounted on the corresponding side of the platen frame or carriage 18. It will. be evident that, if both sets of feed-rolls are placed in their effective positions, both sets of webs will be advanced each time the platen is turned. but that, if one set of feed-rolls is cast off by the corresponding fingerpiece 64:, the webs lying between the feed-rolls of that set and the platen will be released and will not be advanced when the platen is actuated.

During actuation of the platen, when one set of webs is held in operative engagement therewith and the other is released therefrom, the released set of webs may become disarranged or displaced, unless some means he provided to hold them in fixed position during such operation. To obviate this difficulty, provision may be made for clamping or gripping the webs at the rear of the platen. For this purpose, provision may be made of two shafts 65 at the rear of the typewriter carriage, said shafts 65 haying their inner ends placed end to end in a bracket 66 secured to any suitable part of the machine, such as, for example, the forward cross-bar 38, and the outer ends of which may be journaled in the ends of the carriage 18. Each of the shafts 65 may have secured thereto, near the edges of the corresponding sets of webs. arms 67 carrying at their outer ends friction members 67, so positioned that, when the shafts 65 are turned in a clockwise direction, as viewed in F igures 2, 3 and 4-, the friction members 6? may be shifted from the normally effective positions shown in Figure 2, to the eil'ective or gripping positions shown in Figures 3 and 4; to cause the webs to be gripped or clamped between said friction members 6% and the portion of the paper-table 34: which overlies the shaft 17.

It will be obvious that in case the feed: rolls of either set are to be cast off, the corresponding gripping device should be made etl'ective inm'iediately before the teed-rolls are cast off, and conversely that the feedrolls should be brought into etlective position immediately before the gripping de vices are released. To this end, the arm. 32: of each cast-oft lingerpiece G l may be connected with the correspoiuling link (32 by a pin (58 in the end of the arm ($3, normally lying at the lower end of a slot 6) in the upper end of the corresponding llllli "(32, and. the upper arm ll) of each linger-piece timay be connected by a rear ardly-extending link 71 with an arm 72 secured to the corresponding shaft near its outer end, connection between the link Tl and the arm T2 being effected by means of a pin 73 on the arn'i T2, extending into the slot "M at the rear end of the link 71 and normally held at the forward end of said slot by means of a spring 75 connecting the upper end of the arm 72 with a pin 76 on the link 71.

If then, either finger-piece 6% is swung in a clock-wise direction from the position shown in Figure 2 to that in Figure 3, the pin 68 will move idly to the upper end of the slot 69 in the corresponding link 62, without producing any effect on the correspond ing cast-off shaft 50. This movement of the linger-piece (is! will, however, draw the link 71 forwardly to carry a corresponding pair of arms 67 and the friction members 67 thereon into position to cause the latter to press down upon the edges of the webs overlying the rear portion of the paper-table 34L Upon further movement of the fingerpiece 6 from the position shown in Figure 3 to that in Figure 4-, he friction members (37 will be maintained in effective position, and the spring 75 will be stretched so that the pin 73 will lie near the rear end of the slot 74. At the same time, this movement of the linger-piece (Set will lift the corresponding link and cast off the corresponding set of feed-rolls, as-indicated in Figure l.

By using a single long platen for both sets of webs, uniform feeding of both of the sets will be insured when the feed-rolls of both sets are in effective position, and only one line-spacing mechanism will be necessary, thereby requiring only a single linespacing operation. Furthermore, either set of webs may easily be thrown out of operation, by casting off the corresponding set of feed-rolls, and retention of the webs in proper relation. when thrown out of action, will be insured by the corresponding gripping mechanism which will be rendered cf fective immediately preceding the casting oli' of the feed-rolls and will be maintained in effective condition until the feed-rolls are restored to effective position.

In ordinary use, the work-webs will be advanced by the platen and printing eil'ected thereon at the printing line by means of suitable type-bars 77. .After the printing on any one set of forms has been completed, the platen may be thrown up in the usual manner and the webs straightened and held at theirforward edges and the carbon-carriers 39 shifted to the rear to withdraw the carbon-sheets 48 into positions between unused portions of the webs. The forward ends of the webs may be then drawn forward to engage an end gage 78 of the usua type, which may be adjustably secured by means of a set screw 79 to a bar 80 forming an extension of the table '14:. The platen 10 and the paper-table it may then be restored to their normal positions, as shown in Figure 2,

and the portions of the webs lying along the table A severed trom the unused portions of the webs in the usual manner.

hen the platen is displaced upwardly to enable one of the web-sets to be straightened out, so that it may be drawn forward and its carbon-sheets positioned, the other webset, together with its interleaved carbonsheets, will be held againstdisarrangement or displacement by the corresponding gripping device.

It will now beevident that the web-sets may be written upon alternately, line-spaced together at a single. operation, and both drawn forward at the same time, it so desired, or one of the web-sets may be written upon to any extent and independently drawn forward while the other web-set is held stationary in the machine, it so desired. I

Variations may be resorted to'within the scope of the invention, and portions 01" the improvements may be used without others.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a continuous billing typewriting machine, in combination, a displaceable unitary platen, means for guiding a pair of web-sets side by side to and around the unitary platen, line-spacing mechanism for said platen, two sets of teed-rolls cooperating with said platen, one set for feeding each web-set, the platen being separated from both sets of rolls at the platen-displacing operation, whereby both web-sets are re leased, means for throwing off one of said.

sets of feed-rolls to cause the web-set controlled thereby tobe idle, so that operation of the line-spacing mechanism will feed only the other of the web-sets, and means for clamping the idle web-set against accidental misplacement while the platen is displaced.

2. In a continuous billingtypewriting machine, in combination, a carriage, a displaceable platen-frame, a platen therein, means for guiding a pair of web-sets side by side to and around the platen, line spacing mechanism for the platen, web-feeding means co-operating with the platen and settable to cause a web-set to be inactive at the will of the operator while the other webset is active, the inactive web-set being freed completely from control of the platen when the platen is displaced to permit straightening of the active web-set and movement of its carbons relatively to it, and means mounted on the carriage independently of the displaceable platen-frame for clamping the inactive web-set against accidental misplacement while the platen is displaced.

8. In a continuous billing typewriting machine, in combination, a carriage, a displaceable platen-frame, a revoluble platen mounted therein, means for guiding a pair of web- ,ets side by side to and around the platen, line-spacing mechanism for the platen, two

said sets of teed-rolls to cause the web-set controlled thereby to beidle, so that operation of-the line-spacing mechanism will feed either or both of the web-sets according to the state of the teed-roll throw-01f means,

means for each web-set for clamping it when idle against accidental misplacement either by the line-spacing of the platen or while the platen is displaced, said clamping means mounted on the carriage independently of the displaceable platen-frame, and connections between the teed-roll throw-on means and the clamping means for each web-set to cause the clamping means to be made ettective as an incident of the throwing of? of the feed-rolls.

4- In a continuous billing typewriting machine, in combination, a displaceable platenframe, arevolubleplaten mounted therein, means .for guiding a pair of web-sets side by side to and around the platen, line-spacing mechanism for the platen, two sets of feedrolls co-operating with theplaten, one set for feeding each web-set, the platen being separated from both sets of rolls at the platen-displacing operation, whereby both web-sets are releasechmeans for throwing oil eitherof said sets of feed-rolls to cause the web-set controlled thereby to be idle, so that operation of the line-spacing mechanism will feed either or both of the Web-sets according to the state of the feed-roll throw-oft means, means for each web+set for clamping it when idle against accidental misplacement either by the line-spacing of the platen or while the platen is displaced, and connections betweenv the feed-roll throw-off means and the clamping means for each web-set tov cause the clamping means to be made efiiective as an incident of and prior to the throwing ofi' of the feed-rolls. V

5. In a continuous billing typewriting machine, in combination, a displaceable platenframe, a revoluble platen mounted therein, means for guiding a pair of web-sets side by side to and around the platen, line-spacing mechanism for the platen, two sets 01 feed-rolls co-operating with the platen, one set for feeding each web-set, the platen being separated from both sets of rolls at the platen-displacing operation, whereby both web-sets are released, means for throwing 0E either of said sets of feed-rolls to cause the web-set controlled thereby to be idle, so that operation of the line-spacing mechanism will feed either or both of the web-sets according to the state of the teed-roll throw-otf means, means for each web-set for clamping it when idle against accidental.misplacement either by the line-spacing of the platen or whiletheplaten is displaced, and connec tions between the teed-roll throw-o1"? means and the clamping means for each webset to cause the clamping means to be made etlective as an incident of the throwing oil of the "teed-rolls, and to be made ineliective as an incident of the restoration of the feed-rolls.

6. In a continuous billing typewriting machine, in combination. a displaceable platenlirame, a revoluble platen mounted therein, means for guiding a pair of web-sets side by side to and around the platen, line-spacing mechanism tor the platen, two sets of feedrolls cooperating with the plateinone set for feedi g each web-set. the platen being separated from both sets ot' rolls at the platendisplacing peratioin whereby both web-sets are released, means for throwing of? either ot' said sets of "teed-rolls to cause the webset controlled thereby to be idle, so that operation of the line'spacing mechanism will feed either or both of the web-sets according to the state of the feed-roll throw o ll means, means for each welrset tor clamping it when idle against accidental displacement either by the line-soacing oi the platen or while the platen is displaced, and connections between the teed-roll throw-oil means and the clamping means for each web-set to cause the clamping means to be made eii'ective as an incident of and prior to the throwing oil of the teed-rolls, and to be made ineffective as an incident of and subsequent to the restoration of the feedrolls.

T. In a continuous billing typewritin'g machine, in combination, a displaceable platen, means for guiding a pair of web-sets side by side to and around the platen, platenrotating mechanism comprising gearing whereby the platen is rotated in a line-feed ing direction as it is returned. to normal lowered position from displaced position, "teed-rolls co-operating with the platen to feed the web-sets, and means for moving the teed-rolls for either web-set to an in- Mtective position at the will of the opera tor to thereby render the web-sets inactive selectively, and to prevent feeding of the inactive web set by the rotation of the platen in the final portion of the return of the platen from displaced to normal position.

8. In a typewriting machine, a revolnble platen, feed-rolls co-opeating with the platen to feed the work, a work-clamp in the rear of the platen, a finger-piece for controlling the eliective and inefiiective con dition of the teed-rolls and the clamp, connections between the finger-piece and the clamp comprising a slotted link and a spring, and connections between the fingerpiece and the teed-rolls comprising a slotted link, the tinger-piece when moved in one direction moving at first relatively to the feedroll cast-oil link while acting through the spring to render the clamp effective and then moving relatively to the clamp while casting of? the teed-rolls; and when moved in the reverse direction acting first to re store the teed-rolls while moving relative ly to the clamp and then to release the clamp.

9.111 a continuous billing typewriting machine, in combination, a traveling carriage, a displaceable platen-frame mounted thereon, a revoluble unitary platen in the plateirf'ame, two carbon-carriers reciprocable toward and from the platen, side by side, in right line paths, to hold carbons interleaved with continuous multiple-ply webs arranged side by side around the platen, line-spacing mechanism for the platen, two sets of feed-rolls co-operating with the platen, one set for feeding each web, means for making a set of the feedrolls effective or ineffective to cause the web controlled thereby to be active or idle, and a clamp for said web when idle to prevent its crawling forward at line-spacing or its being accidentally misplaced at displacement of the platen, the clamp being maintained in an 'inefiective condition when the associate web is active, and being so mounted that the web, when active, can be straightened tor carbonshi'tting between the inettective clamp-jaws at displacement of the platen.

VVILLIA'li I ASHLEY KELLY. 

